Wilderness.org - Climate Action Planhttp://wilderness.org/tags/climate-action-plan
enAmerica's Climate Action Plan: A year in review - and what's aheadhttp://wilderness.org/blog/americas-climate-action-plan-year-review-and-whats-ahead
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-post-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Jun 25, 2014</div></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_image field-group-div group-image speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_full/public/Obamasolarpanels.WhiteHouse_modified.jpg?itok=mArGZge4" width="500" height="333" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-video field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-credit field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p>WhiteHouse.gov</p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>The one year anniversary of the unveiling of America&rsquo;s historic Climate Action Plan is upon us. Measuring how far we have come in meeting the goals outlined in the plan and the work yet to be done is as important as the plan itself.</p>
<p>In June of 2013, President Obama put forward an ambitious strategy that would help America lessen our dependence on polluting sources of energy as well as re-thinking how we use and conserve energy. This plan has important consequences for our public lands. They have played a valuable role in helping meet the president&rsquo;s goals, but will also continue to be a vital part of how our country combats this high threat to our planet.</p>
<p><strong>The past year: Measuring progress</strong></p>
<p>Smart energy development is a critical component of the strategy and significant progress has been made to permit and increase the amount of energy we get from cleaner sources like wind and solar. A commitment was made to double the amount of clean energy being developed on public lands specifically.</p>
<p>Through the Department of Interior&rsquo;s <a href="http://blmsolar.anl.gov/">western solar plan</a>, permitting is more efficient in parts of the western US, where there is high potential for these resources. This means companies can expect more certainty and faster permitting when they choose to build projects in pre-screened zones. This permitting is necessary, along with rooftop solar, and development on private lands, to meet the goal of significantly increasing the amount of energy we get from renewable energy.</p>
<p>Beyond clean energy development, leaders have spent the past year looking for ways to increase the efficiency of our energy use, by reducing the amount of energy waste in our homes and businesses. Energy efficiency can go a long way in reducing emissions, but we also know that <a href="http://wilderness.org/article/saving-energy-saves-lands">saving energy saves lands</a> and we can reduce the pressure to build new energy projects on our wild lands.</p>
<p>New energy projects are always part of the climate conversation, but one of the most important feats of the current administration was dealing with existing power plants that have negative impacts on our climate. A recently <a href="http://wilderness.org/blog/efforts-reduce-carbon-pollution-lessens-impact-climate-change-wild-lands">released EPA rule</a> has the potential to reduce carbon pollution from existing power plants, the largest source of global warming causing emissions in our country. This rule can take us a long way in meeting our climate reduction goals while also protecting our clean air and water resources.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="480" width="480" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/climate_change_share_graphic_wh.jpg?itok=4lEE4gsw" /></p>
<p>The Department of Interior is also looking at ways to reduce the amount of methane emissions that come from federal lands. Methane is 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide when it comes to climate changing emissions and it is very prevalent in the process of drilling and moving natural gas to market. Because of the harm that methane causes, the administration is working hard to limit the release of the gas through new technology and tracking equipment.</p>
<p>As <a href="http://riskybusiness.org/">recent analysis shows</a>, climate change can have a significant impact on more than our air and water&mdash;there is a measurable impact to our economy as well. This makes efforts to reduce climate change of even greater importance and set the stage for why we must continue doing more to meet the goals outlined by the president a year ago.</p>
<p><strong>The years ahead: Continuing to make progress</strong></p>
<p>One year&rsquo;s time is hardly sufficient when it comes to fully implementing the strategies outlined in the Climate Action Plan. It will take continued dedication, creative thinking and collaboration between conservationists, federal, state and local governments, and the energy sector to find ways to meet our climate challenge.</p>
<p>Reducing methane emissions, expanding renewable energy and protecting watersheds and wildlife corridors are some of the ways we can get there.</p>
<p>Our public lands will continue to play a vital role, but not only when it comes to energy development. The Wilderness Society&rsquo;s work to pioneer climate adaptation tools, identifying crucial climate refuges where species can retreat to when their habitat is lost, and building innovative climate monitoring techniques, will keep America&rsquo;s wildlands resilient in the face of a warming climate.</p>
<p>Over the next year we will continue to see progress in combatting climate change and there is a sense of optimism that we are truly doing what we can as a country to adopt the opportunities outlined in the now one year old Climate Action Plan.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_related field-group-div group-related speed-fast effect-none"><h2><span>Related Content</span></h2><div class="field field-name-field-related-content field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article article-promoted odd article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/saving-energy-saves-lands"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/wilderness_hotissues_oilgasrenewableenergy_renewableenergy_campaignsprojectsplaces_savingenergysaveslands1.jpg?itok=MyuJ65ga" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Learn how saving energy saves our public lands</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Energy conservation and energy efficiency are critical strategies for reducing energy demands and the need for new dirty fossil-fueled power plants and renewable energy projects. </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/saving-energy-saves-lands">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article article-promoted even article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/climate-change-arctic"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/birdin-flight-westernarcticnationalparklands-flickr.jpg?itok=a5ZfNbbt" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Climate change in the Arctic</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">In addition to our efforts to protect key landscapes in Alaska, The Wilderness Society is a leader in research to determine how climate change will affect Alaska and the Arctic.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/climate-change-arctic">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Wed, 25 Jun 2014 21:06:03 +0000Lydia Hooper108082 at http://wilderness.orghttp://wilderness.org/blog/americas-climate-action-plan-year-review-and-whats-ahead#commentsBroadly supported bill supports renewable energy - and funds conservationhttp://wilderness.org/blog/broadly-supported-bill-supports-renewable-energy-and-funds-conservation
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-post-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Sep 25, 2013</div></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_image field-group-div group-image speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_full/public/REandC.jpg?itok=6VZVfyaK" width="500" height="262" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-video field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">We know renewable energy provides clean, sustainable power, but a bill in Congress could mean it also provides funding to protect wild places.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>In June, President Obama introduced his Climate Action Plan,&nbsp;doubling the goal set during his first term to 20,000 megawatts&#39; worth of renewable energy projects on public lands, generating clean, sustainable power for about six million homes. Remarkably, the Interior Department has already exceeded the first term target (10 MW permitted by 2015) and is well &nbsp;<a href="http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2013/08/09/71823/the-interior-department-is-halfway-to-its-new-renewables-goal-but-hurdles-remain/" target="_blank">on track to meet&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;the&nbsp;second-term target.</p>
<p>As they look to increase renewable energy development on public lands, <a href="http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2013/august/NR_08_13_2013.html" target="_blank">Secretary Jewell supports a landscape-level approach</a>, meaning that in addition to the energy, the places where these projects are sited is crucial. The Wilderness Society has long supported &quot;<a href="/node/1144">Smart from the Start</a>&quot; approach to developing needed renewable energy&nbsp;projects that protect wild lands by&nbsp;avoiding sensitive lands and habitats.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image media-image-right" height="294" style="width: 244px; height: 294px; margin: 10px; float: right;" width="244" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/PLREDAgraph.jpg?itok=ACW_MPKo" /></p>
<p>Now Congress has the chance to do their part.</p>
<p>Legislation <a href="http://gosar.house.gov/press-release/reps-gosar-and-heck-introduce-legislation-increase-energy-development-public-land" target="_blank">introduced in February</a> gives the Department new tools to further address unavoidable impacts to wildlands and wildlife habitat. The <a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr596/text" target="_blank">Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act</a>&nbsp;(HR596/S279) would re-invest some of the revenue earned from wind and solar development <a href="http://wilderness.org/update/paying-back-land-how-renewable-energy-can-support-conservation">back to conservation activities</a> in local counties and states. This could mean repairing damaged soil and vegetation, improving trails and access and restoring impacted watersheds.</p>
<p>The bill also proposes sending funds directly to counties and states. The House&#39;s version of the bill would give 25% to conservation (the remainder would go to deficit reduction), while the Senate version would give 35% (S. 279 distribution formula pictured in the graphic above right).</p>
<p>&ldquo;The bill strikes a good balance between the renewable energy we need and the places we love,&rdquo; <a href="http://wilderness.org/press-release/congress-could-help-conservation-efforts-through-legislation-would-return-portions">said Chase Huntley</a>, clean energy policy director at The Wilderness Society.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This bill is not only supported by members from both parties in Congress, but by popular opinion as well. Recent <a href="http://wilderness.org/resource/topline-findings-western-voters-and-renewable-energy-poll">polling data</a> found that over 80% of Western voters want to see funds already collected from the production of wind and solar energy on public lands&nbsp;used for land restoration and protection.</p>
<p>It isn&#39;t often these days that a Congressional bill is bi-partisan and broadly supported, but when it makes great sense, nothing should stand in the way of Congress passing it.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://secure.wilderness.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&amp;page=UserAction&amp;id=2537" style="text-align: center;">Show your support by telling Congress to pay back the land!</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style=" margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/169496135/Renewable-Energy-and-Conservation" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Renewable Energy and Conservation on Scribd">Read a report on Renewable Energy and Conservation below:</a></p>
<p><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_78775" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/169496135/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe></p>
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<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/why-renewable-energy"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/solarplantwildflowers-istock_0.jpg?itok=b79Sg4vw" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Why renewable energy?</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Clean energy sources like wind and solar can help us reduce climate change, but can harm wildlife and wildlands if not carefully located.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/why-renewable-energy">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="ds-1col article article-landing-page article-promoted even article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/finding-smart-places"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/wilderness_hotissues_oilgasrenewableenergy_renewableenergy_campaignsprojectsplaces_findingsmartplaces1.jpg?itok=QpI9eqaZ" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Where are smart places for renewable energy?</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">When we work to guide renewable energy development to the most appropriate places, we can avoid damaging sensitive wildlands and wildlife habitat.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/finding-smart-places">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-update odd article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2><a href="/update/paying-back-land-how-renewable-energy-can-support-conservation"> Paying Back the Land: How Renewable Energy Can Support Conservation</a></h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>Here at The Wilderness Society, we know that when renewable energy is built in the right places it can benefit our communities in a myriad of ways, including aiding the economy and helping to solv</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/update/paying-back-land-how-renewable-energy-can-support-conservation">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Wed, 25 Sep 2013 20:46:36 +0000Lydia Hooper107567 at http://wilderness.orghttp://wilderness.org/blog/broadly-supported-bill-supports-renewable-energy-and-funds-conservation#comments